Sports Mole

After both coming from behind to eliminate lower-league opposition in the EFL Cup, London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford lock horns in Saturday's Premier League London derby.

Ange Postecoglou's men made life incredibly difficult for themselves against Coventry City but eventually got the job done by two goals to one, while the Bees were 3-1 victors over Leyton Orient.

Match preview

© Imago

A day on from doubling down on his claim that he "always" wins trophies in his second year in a job - a factually correct statement for the time being - Spurs boss Postecoglou was a few minutes away from seeing Tottenham's hopes of EFL Cup stardom crash and burn in Coventry.

The lacklustre Lilywhites could have had few complaints if Brandon Thomas-Asante's strike proved to be the winner, but Postecoglou's embarrassment was spared by a pair of inspired substitutes right at the death, as Djed Spence and the recently-vilified Brennan Johnson completed a striking turnaround.

As abysmal as Tottenham's attacking display was, the manner of the Lilywhites' dramatic success offers a sliver of hope that Wednesday's victory could be the catalyst for a change in fortunes, as Spurs have been a shadow of their former selves from 12 months ago.

Indeed, Tottenham could not even beat a weakened Arsenal team on their own patch last weekend, where set-piece weaknesses reared their ugly heads once more as Gabriel Magalhaes headed home a second-half corner, the 25th Premier League goal that Saturday's hosts have conceded from dead-ball situations since the start of last term.

Residing in an unlucky 13th place in the standings on account of their underwhelming start, Spurs now endeavour to avoid losing three of their first five games of a new season for the first time since 2008, when Juande Ramos left his post after just eight games of that campaign.

© Imago

While Brentford were also made to do it the hard way in their EFL Cup third-round tie with Leyton Orient, who took a shock lead at the Gtech Community Stadium via an 11th-minute Brandon Cooper effort, the Bees faithful did not have to wait until minute 88 for their side to come good in the final third.

Just six minutes after Cooper's opener, ex-Liverpool starlet Fabio Carvalho got Brentford back to square one with a phenomenal overhead kick, before Mikkel Damsgaard's header and a crisp Christian Norgaard strike saw Thomas Frank's men avoid an almighty upset.

The Bees' 3-1 success saw them prolong their 100% record at the Gtech Community Stadium this term, having also overcome Crystal Palace and Southampton on familiar turf, but Frank's men are now facing a third straight away fixture against one of the so-called 'Big Six'.

Brentford are one of three teams without an away point after two matches this season, but they have been forced to pit their wits against Liverpool at Anfield and Manchester City at the Etihad, giving the champions a massive scare last week only to succumb to an Erling Haaland double.

Each of the visitors' last four away North London derbies last season also ended in defeat, and January's trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium saw Frank's crop go down 3-2. Entertainment should be a guarantee on Saturday afternoon, though; the last four meetings between the London rivals have seen a staggering 17 goals.

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Brentford Premier League form:

Brentford form (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago

Tottenham's offensive ranks could be depleted by two fresh attacking absences this weekend, as Wilson Odobert and Timo Werner were both forced off in the victory over Coventry; Postecoglou has admitted that the former's issue looks serious.

The severity of Werner's knock has not yet been ascertained, but the German put in an atrocious display on Wednesday and would have surely dropped out either way; Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski are primed and ready for attacking recalls.

Yves Bissouma (groin) and Richarlison (unspecified) are also in the Tottenham treatment room, although Postecoglou is optimistic that the former's issue will settle down in time for him to make an appearance on Saturday.

Brentford came through their midweek success without any fresh injury concerns, but early Etihad goalscorer Yoane Wissa is confirmed to be facing a couple of months on the sidelines with the ankle issue he sustained against the champions last week - a devastating blow to the Ivan Toney-less visitors.

Wissa joins Josh Dasilva (knee), Gustavo Nunes (back), Mathias Jensen (calf), Igor Thiago (knee), Aaron Hickey (thigh) and Rico Henry (muscle) on the sidelines; the latter was on the verge of returning from a long-term knee injury before picking up a fresh muscle issue.

With Wissa in the infirmary, Bryan Mbeumo and Kevin Schade could act as Brentford's front two for the next several weeks, although Carvalho's acrobatics on Wednesday may have given Frank food for thought up front.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son

Brentford possible starting lineup:

Flekken; Ajer, Collins, Pinnock, Van den Berg, Lewis-Potter; Janelt, Norgaard; Carvalho; Mbeumo, Schade

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Brentford

In spite of Tottenham's lackadaisical attacking displays so far this season, they should not be short of chances to carve Brentford open; Mark Flekken has already been forced into a league-high 22 saves so far this season.

Postecoglou's men should therefore find their way through at least once, and a first-choice defence can then keep a depleted Bees frontline at bay.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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After surviving a monumental scare in the EFL Cup, Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League duty at home to London rivals Brentford on Saturday afternoon.

The Lilywhites were minutes away from seeing another shot at silverware pass them by on Wednesday night, only for late Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson goals to break Coventry City hearts in a 2-1 third-round victory.

Prior to scraping through in the cup, Ange Postecoglou's side were subjected to an agonising 1-0 North London derby defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League, leaving them with just one win from their opening four games as they languish in 13th spot.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Tottenham's latest injury and suspension news ahead of the clash with the Bees, who can also look forward to an EFL Cup fourth-round showdown thanks to a 3-1 win over Leyton Orient in midweek.

Wilson Odobert

© Imago

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: September 21 (vs. Brentford)

Just 18 minutes into Wednesday's win over Coventry, Wilson Odobert was forced off the field with a suspected hamstring injury, meaning that he is highly unlikely to be seen on the pitch on Saturday.

Timo Werner

© Imago

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Knock

Possible return date: September 21 (vs. Brentford)

Odobert was one of two Tottenham casualties on Wednesday evening, as Timo Werner - whose performance attracted severe criticism - was also forced off towards the end and has emerged as a major doubt for the weekend.

Yves Bissouma

© Imago

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Groin

Possible return date: September 21 (vs. Brentford)

Yves Bissouma is still struggling with the groin problem that he picked up during the last international break, but Postecoglou is keeping his fingers crossed that he will be available for the clash with the Bees.

Richarlison

© Imago

Status: Out

Type of injury: Unspecified

Possible return date: September 26 (vs. Qarabag)

Richarlison is still working his way back from the unspecified training injury he picked up at the end of August, and the Brazilian is now expected to return before next week's Europa League opener against Qarabag at the earliest.

TOTTENHAM'S SUSPENSION LIST

Tottenham have no players suspended for this match.

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Tottenham Hotspur have been handed yet another injury blow, as Wilson Odobert was forced off with a suspected hamstring issue against Coventry City in the EFL Cup.

The 19-year-old - a surprise summer signing from Burnley - was one of eight players brought into the first XI by Ange Postecoglou for the clash with the Championship side, making his third start of the season.

However, Odobert was only on the pitch for 18 minutes before having to be replaced with an injury, which according to Spurs journalist Alasdair Gold appears to be hamstring-related.

Gold reports that Odobert was sprinting back after losing possession before dropping to the turf, and he gingerly trudged off the field as Brennan Johnson came on in his place.

Postecoglou should deliver an update on Odobert's issue in his post-match press conference, but the teenager has already emerged for upcoming clashes with Brentford, Qarabag and Manchester United before the end of the month.

Tottenham are also without Richarlison and Yves Bissouma due to their own fitness problems, although Micky van de Ven and Dominic Solanke both recovered from their concerns before the weekend's North London derby loss to Arsenal.

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Tottenham Hotspur will aim to take an important step towards ending their 16-year trophy drought as they face Coventry City in the EFL Cup third round on Wednesday night.

The Lilywhites are looking to bounce back quickly following a North London derby defeat on the weekend, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs ahead of the midweek clash.

COVENTRY CITY vs. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

© Imago

COVENTRY CITY

Out: Ben Sheaf (leg), Raphael Borges Rodrigues (leg), Tatsuhiro Sakamoto (ankle)

Doubtful: Joel Latibeaudiere (knock)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Wilson; Van Ewijk, Binks, Thomas, Bidwell; Allen, Eccles, Mason-Clark, Rudoni, Wright; Simms

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Out: Richarlison (muscle)

Doubtful: Yves Bissouma (knock)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Forster; Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Davies; Gray, Sarr, Kulusevski; Werner, Odobert, Solanke

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has launched a staunch defence of his claim that he always wins trophies in his second year at a club.

The Australian made the eye-catching remark after Sunday's 1-0 North London derby defeat to Arsenal, which left Spurs on just four points from their first four games of the 2024-25 Premier League season.

Postecoglou's comments could have been interpreted as the 59-year-old promising to deliver a piece of silverware to Tottenham this season, thus ending their 17-year wait for another piece of silverware.

The Lilywhites have not won a major honour since the 2007-08 EFL Cup, and they kick off their journey in the competition away to Championship side Coventry City on Wednesday evening.

Postecoglou addressed the media in Tuesday's pre-game press conference, in which he stressed that he was simply stating a fact after the North London derby and believed that the reaction has been blown out of proportion.

Postecoglou: 'I was not boasting with trophy claim'

The Australian did win trophies in his second seasons with Celtic, Australia, Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F Marinos and South Melbourne FC, and he was confused to see his remark "upset" some people.

"It's amazing, isn't it? I just stated a fact and it seems like, am I supposed to just lie or just say it never happened? But, no, it's just confusing to me that people are making a big deal out of something. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to answer something that is true," football.london quotes Postecoglou as saying.

"Like if I don't win it in the second year this year and I come out next year and say 'well, I always win it', well, no, actually it's not true, but I've just said something that's true, and it seems like it's upset a lot of people for some reason."

The former Celtic manager added that he was not boasting about his extensive trophy-winning CV, and he would happily change his remark to "mostly" rather than "always" if Spurs end the year without a piece of silverware for the 17th year in a row.

"How am I supposed to answer something that's true. Is it to say 'well, actually, no, it wasn't that important, they were easy competitions and they don't mean anything'. If you've achieved something, aren't you supposed to say ' yes, I have, and that's what I hope to do again'?

"I'm not really sure why people misconstrue it as me trying to boast about something. I've answered a question which I think somebody else brought up here anyway, before that, which is true. That's always happened and my plan is for it to happen again this year. And if it doesn't happen, then I can't answer that question in the same way next year, I can say 'mostly' not 'always'."

Postecoglou confirms Spurs absentee for Coventry clash

The Tottenham boss also revealed that Mali midfielder Yves Bissouma would still be unavailable for the trip to Coventry, having missed the derby loss with the knock he picked up on international duty.

"Biss is still not where we want him to be but hopefully he there is a chance that he will be okay for the weekend," added Postecoglou, who is also without striker Richarlison due to his recent training injury.

The Lilywhites boss will be expected to make wholesale changes for the EFL Cup tie, with all of Fraser Forster, Radu Dragusin, Ben Davies and Timo Werner potentially coming into the XI.

Tottenham have not progressed past the third round of the EFL Cup since reaching the semi-finals of the 2021-22 campaign, losing to Fulham on penalties in the second round last year. body check tags ::

Looking to respond positively from major disappointment at the weekend, Tottenham Hotspur will travel to Championship side Coventry City in the third round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.

Spurs are in the West Midlands following a North London derby defeat to bitter rivals Arsenal, with the Sky Blues aiming to cause an upset against a Premier League giant at The Coventry Building Society Arena.

Match preview

After a lacklustre one-goal defeat to Norwich City at the CBS Arena prior to the international break, Coventry returned from their two-week hiatus with a respectable point at the home of in-form Watford in the Championship on Saturday afternoon, although the visitors arguably should have collected maximum points.

A hero of the Sky Blues' FA Cup campaign during 2023-24, Ellis Simms fired his troops into the lead at Vicarage Road and Mark Robins's side should have been three or four ahead by the half-time whistle, however a second goal never materialised, with Hornets' midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru forcing a share of the spoils.

With a strong recent history of competing for promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs, there is genuine expectation from supporters for Coventry to do the same this season, although Wednesday's hosts have endured a stuttering start to their second-tier mission, winning just one of five contests, meaning that they are languishing in 15th place.

Two of the Sky Blues' three competitive victories so far in 2024-25 have arrived in the EFL Cup, with the West Midlands outfit having goals from former Sunderland and Everton marksman Simms and summer signing Brandon Thomas-Asante to thank for wins over Bristol City and Oxford United respectively.

Whilst one-time winners of the FA Cup, Coventry's pedigree in this competition is less impressive, with Robins's men dumped out of the EFL Cup at the first-round stage last season by League Two side AFC Wimbledon, who netted two in quick succession during the final five minutes at The Cherry Red Records Stadium in August 2023.

For a third straight match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against their North London nemesis, Spurs were dealt the horrible blow of derby defeat on Sunday afternoon, when a second-half header from Arsenal centre-back Gabriel snatched maximum Premier League points for Mikel Arteta's visitors.

With the Gunners missing influential duo Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice in the engine room, the Lilywhites dominated proceedings in terms of possession and created the majority of the chances, however their inability to convert statistics into goals reared its ugly head once again.

As usual suspects Manchester City and Arsenal sit in the top spots at the head of the Premier League table, Spurs are battling in 13th position after collecting just four points from as many matches, with their only victory coming against a helpless Everton side on August 24.

Despite his men failing to click in front of goal so far this campaign, Ange Postecoglou has remained bullish when questioned over the Lilywhites' trophy-winning credentials, claiming that he is confident of guiding the North Londoners to silverware after a 16-year drought.

Amid their enjoyment of a 10-game unbeaten start to the Premier League last season, Spurs were dumped out of the EFL Cup at the second-round stage - lazily giving up a chance of a trophy - by London neighbours Fulham, with a much-changed visiting XI losing at Craven Cottage following a penalty shootout.

Coventry City EFL Cup form:

Coventry City form (all competitions):

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Team News

Unable to bring on a midfield alternative at Watford on the weekend, Coventry are suffering massively from the absence of Ben Sheaf, who is fighting to be back at the end of the month from a leg injury.

The Sky Blues picked up a fresh fitness concern at Vicarage Road, where Joel Latibeaudiere was forced off in the second period with a knock.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto's injury-riddled 2024 has continued into the new campaign, with the Japanese winger out of action until October due to an ankle issue.

Tottenham remain without the services of forward Richarlison, with the Brazilian in the visitors' medical room as he continues to recover from a muscle injury.

As a result, £65m summer arrival Dominic Solanke could continue at the tip of the Spurs attack following his home debut for the club on Sunday.

Yves Bissouma is a doubt for the trip to the CBS Arena, meaning that midfielders Pape Sarr and Lucas Bergvall have a good chance of earning starts.

Making cameos off the bench in the North London derby defeat, Wilson Odobert and Timo Werner could be tasked with causing Coventry damage from the first while on Wednesday night.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:

Wilson; Van Ewijk, Binks, Thomas, Bidwell; Allen, Eccles, Mason-Clark, Rudoni, Wright; Simms

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Forster; Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Davies; Gray, Sarr, Kulusevski; Werner, Odobert, Solanke

We say: Coventry City 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur

After exiting the EFL Cup at the first opportunity last season, we are expecting Tottenham to be desperate to move one step closer to a long-awaited piece of silverware.

Coventry have shown their ability to compete with Premier League giants in cup competitions recently, however we do not believe that Wednesday night will be a memorable one for the Sky Blues.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has seemingly promised to deliver a piece of silverware to the club's supporters this season following their 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the North London derby.

The Lilywhites' underwhelming start to the 2024-25 season continued in front of the home crowd, where Gabriel Magalhaes's second-half header saw a depleted Arsenal side come away with all three points.

The Gunners travelled to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without two of their three first-choice midfielders in Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, while Oleksandr Zinchenko, Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino were also among the visitors' absentees.

In contrast, Tottenham had record signing Dominic Solanke and key centre-back Micky van de Ven back in their ranks for the derby, in which they dominated the possession and shot counter but were left to lament familiar mistakes.

After conceding twice from corners in this fixture last season, Spurs were exposed at set-pieces again for Gabriel's goal, while also showcasing a distinct lack of ruthlessness and creativity in the final third despite their offensive setup.

© Imago

Postecoglou: 'I always win things in my second year'

Tottenham's loss to their long-time adversaries leaves them in the bottom half of the Premier League table with just four points from their first four matches of the season, and attention now turns to their midweek EFL Cup trip to Coventry City.

Spurs have not lifted a major trophy since triumphing in that tournament in the 2007-08 season, but Postecoglou arrived in North London with an extensive CV of winning silverware, having clinched 12 senior crowns throughout his managerial career.

Speaking to Sky Sports News after Sunday's loss, the 58-year-old remained bullish about Spurs' chances of lifting a trophy this season, affirming that he never fails to win silverware in his second year in a job.

Asked if he has seen enough from his Spurs side to suggest that they can conquer a competition this season, Postecoglou replied: "Can I answer the question or are you going to keep asking it?

"Absolutely. I'll correct myself, I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year. Nothing has changed. I just said it now so I don't say things unless I believe them."

Does Postecoglou "always win" trophies in his second year?

Postecoglou only spent two years in the Celtic job before jumping ship for Tottenham, but true to his word, the Australian delivered a Scottish Premiership, Cup and League Cup treble to the Bhoys faithful in his second season.

The Spurs boss had already won a Scottish League Cup crown in his first year in the job, though, but his solitary Japanese top-flight title with Yokohama F Marinos did come in his second year in 2018-19.

Postecoglou's penchant for second-season success is not just limited to club football, as he also led Australia to an Asian Cup title two years after taking charge and guided Brisbane Roar to the 2010-11 Australian A-League title after joining in 2009.

In fact, the only senior job where Postecoglou has not won a major honour in his second season came with South Melbourne FC, whom he took charge of in 1995 and did not earn a trophy with until 1998.

There is otherwise more than enough evidence to back up the 59-year-old's claim, but if Sunday's dreary showing is anything to go by, his second-season streak will not hold up much longer.

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Arsenal have won three successive Premier League away North London derbies for the first time ever courtesy of a gritty 1-0 victory over a toothless Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite missing a handful of key players through injury and suspension, Mikel Arteta's men put in a quintessentially rock-solid defensive display and earned the local bragging rights once again thanks to a second-half Gabriel Magalhaes, as the hosts' set-piece weaknesses proved costly once more.

A Gunners XI ruing the absences of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice initially struggled to contain a Lilywhites side boosted by Dominic Solanke and Micky van de Ven, the former of whom engaged in some gripping battles with the visitors' two big centre-backs.

Wasted chances from the hosts allowed Arsenal a slight foothold in the game, but while the goalmouth action was rather limited, there was no shortage of customary derby flashpoints, including one big fracas after a Jurrien Timber challenge on Pedro Porro.

The Dutchman managed to escape with a booking, one of a staggering seven cautions that card-happy referee Jarred Gillett dished out in the first half, as the derby threatened to rival the record-breaking 14 yellows shared by Bournemouth and Chelsea on Saturday night.

Seven cautions already marked the joint-most in the first half of a Premier League game - as former Arsenal man Paul Merson put it, Gillett was handing out bookings "like ice creams" - and a succession of failed set-pieces did neither side any favours too.

However, after scoring two of their three goals at this ground from corners last season, Arsenal produced another Nicolas Jover special just after the hour mark, when Gabriel headed in Bukayo Saka's perfect corner in front of a delirious away end.

Both before and after Gabriel's 15th Premier League goal, it was all bark and no bite as far as Tottenham were concerned in the final third, as Arsenal surged up to second place ahead of what will already be a top-of-the-table showdown against Manchester City in eight days' time.

As for their crestfallen rivals in white, Ange Postecoglou's side continue to languish in an unlucky 13th place, and questions will continue to be asked about Tottenham's increasingly worrying lack of killer instinct.

TOTTENHAM VS. ARSENAL HIGHLIGHTS

Gabriel Magalhaes goal vs. Tottenham (64th min, Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal)

Breakthrough for the men in black! After so many fluffed set-pieces and corner routines in the first half, it is dead-ball deja vu for both sides at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and it is far too easy for Arsenal in front of the away end.

Saka whips in a sublime inswinging corner right into the corridor of uncertainty, where Gabriel frees himself of Cristian Romero's clutches and directs a bullet header over the futile outstretched arm of Guglielmo Vicario.

The Italian decided against coming out to meet the delivery when it was arguably there to be won, and he is punished. Arsenal remain the set-piece kings, Spurs remain as frail as ever from such situations.

MAN OF THE MATCH - GABRIEL MAGALHAES

© Imago

Good luck finding a more passionate celebration than Gabriel's for the rest of the month, and potentially the rest of the Premier League season, as the South American powerhouse flaunted his set-piece prowess once more for Premier League goal number 15.

Not only a formidable presence in the Tottenham box, Gabriel was near-faultless defensively, putting in seven clearances, two blocks and two tackles to preserve an incredibly hard-fought three points and clean sheet for the visitors.

TOTTENHAM VS. ARSENAL MATCH STATS

Possession: Tottenham 63%-37% Arsenal

Shots: Tottenham 15-7 Arsenal

Shots on target: Tottenham 5-4 Arsenal

Corners: Tottenham 7-6 Arsenal

Fouls: Tottenham 13-10 Arsenal

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Both teams have midweek commitments to fulfil before returning to Premier League action, as Spurs head to Coventry City for Wednesday's EFL Cup third-round clash, the day before Arsenal begin their Champions League campaign away to Atalanta BC.

Postecoglou's side then have another London derby on their agenda, hosting Brentford next Saturday, while the Gunners face possibly their most difficult challenge of the season on Sunday, away to Manchester City.

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Arsenal have been dealt yet another untimely injury blow, as Oleksandr Zinchenko is missing from the squad to face North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

The Ukraine international was expected to be part of the team for the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, most likely on the bench as Jurrien Timber's deputy at left-back.

However, when the Gunners' team sheet was released, Zinchenko was a notable and unexpected absentee, as Mikel Arteta did not mention an injury for him in his pre-game press conference.

Arsenal confirmed that the former Manchester City man is nursing a calf problem, though, robbing the visitors of another versatile option in defence and midfield amid their ongoing fitness crisis.

Captain Martin Odegaard has also failed to make the cut due to his ankle problem, while the suspended Declan Rice is also out of contention alongside Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney.

With so few senior options available, Arteta has named five teenagers on the Arsenal bench, as the recalled Jorginho captains the visitors in a hotchpotch engine room also comprising Thomas Partey and either Leandro Trossard or Kai Havertz.

> Click here to see how Arsenal and Tottenham line up for the North London derby

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